Recall a favourite food from a restaurant in your town

 Oh this one is dead easy for me.

But then I think you’d all have to agree… it’s not just about the food. It’s the experience. Can you recall a favourite food from a restaurant in your town?

I think if I had some of that on a plate right here, right now… it wouldn’t taste as good. It’s like “mamma’s cooking”, and it’s not just because of the way it looks, smells or tastes. No-one can replicate Mamma’s cooking, because it’s not just about the cooking.  It’s about being home, loved and cared for, in Mammas kitchen. It’s the experience. The feeling.

My favourite food is just that… a feeling… a time gone by. I remember back when I was about 17 in Geraldton. Andrew and I had been dating for some time now and we headed for the same nook, in the same little café every lunch time that we could steal some time together. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and even though we were living together by then, we still met at lunchtime as often as we could. And we would go to “The Pancake Chef”. Our town of Geraldton lost something dear when Rod and Nola left that little business. Years later I met up with them again, and they cheerfully remembered us as one of their “courting couples”. How funny – how terribly sweet that they actually had a name for us. That they remembered us.

I remember their pancake, the one I would always order. A hot savoury chicken ham and cheese… with the yummy white sauce with bits in it… oh divine! So fluffy. So perfect. So wonderful. And I would sit there with the love of my life… order the ‘large’ and totally enjoy it. Holding hands in the little secluded booth with red seats, sipping on homemade milkshakes. What a wonderful time in our lives… at the Pancake Chef!

Morning Tea

I love hanging out with many kinds of people, and I must say that scrapbookers are very easy for me to hang out with… but when you get to be surrounded by scrapbookers who are generous and kind and giving… well THAT is an absolute pleasure.

Our biggest morning tea was held this Saturday and those who could make it came along. I brought extra chairs… just in case… and even with those it was standing room only. So wonderful. It makes me so proud to see the workroom filled with beautiful people, all sharing and having a laugh, enjoying the morning – all to raise money for Cancer Research.

Golly we hate cancer. Bad. Bad. Bad. I hope we did some good on Saturday to help those affected. There are so many affected.

We had a busy day, and with the help of Emily, Sharon and Kira we pulled it off! Both Kira and Sharon are also talented in the kitchen, bringing some home baking to share. Thankyou so much ladies – very enjoyable. Emily had a class on in the afternoon, so we had to be done by lunchtime… and the angels in pink shirts made coffees, teas and served, cleaned and tidied.

Our tables looked wonderful, and we pulled out the yellow table-cloth that Rachel had sourced for us last year. Sharon made the settings out of cardstock… how great does that look? The birthday boxes for balloons came out and I put treats inside each of the handmade boxes for our guests. Sharon used the new Tim Holtz Die to make these gorgeous flowers to top her boxes. She made napkin bows from card, punched card for placemats and cuttlebugged card to create boxes. Such a lovely touch.

We had raffles and some great prizes, for the photographer there was a huge frame, for the girls there was a rockinghorse, for the scrappers there was Prima, lots of Prima. Free raffle tickets were handed out every once in a while so everyone had a chance. Spot prizes were a hit, and everyone was so generous to purchase tickets to raise money.

We had a couple of little darlings who were so cute.. praying to win a prize and when they did… oh, it was like they’d won a million dollars… bless them! I hope you enjoy your milkshakes at Senses Cafe’ girls! Totally precious.

How much did they raise? I am so proud to announce they raised a total of $310.75 - how wonderful! In one hour!  Thanks to the generosity of the scrappers at The Scrapbook House – you make the world a better place. Thankyou. I am proud to call you my friends.

In Plane View

My photo is from yesterdays’ fly over at the Military show. 

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The old Beech 18 gained a lot of interest, and boy did it kick up some dust as it taxied up the runway. Note to self – don’t wear white. Would have LOVED to get my darling a ride on this for his birthday, I didn’t know they were taking bookings, and we couldn’t get back for the only available flight left – so would have done it! Definately on my list of things to do for him. Next time!

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Isn’t it amazing how we can’t see some things that are clearly in front of us? Hidden in plain view. Some things we just cannot see for the narrowmindedness, some things are not visible due to a sense of clouding. Some things we refuse to see.

Look beyond your busy day, beyond that piece of work that is overdue, close your ears to the kids fighting. Look out and see the world, the beautiful wonderful incredible world that is out there.. in plain view.

Oh… and another plane picture, just for fun. Hope you had a great day.

Family Dinner

We have “family dinner” on Sunday nights.

Does anyone do this? Am I just strange? I think it is important to ‘touch base’ with family once a week, good or bad. My kids like to see their Nanna, once a week at least, even if she’s been busy all week. I like to catch up with my brother and his girl, even if we see them during the week, nothing says “family”, like sharing a meal together.

Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we play games, sometimes we fight.

Families!

This week I felt we needed a little something different for family dinner, and as it’s usually at my house for convenience with Joshua I took the opportunity to book something new and try it on the family for size. I asked for a little extra respite care for Joshua and he spent the night at Wendys (she had a hard one with him too – sorry Wendy)

I booked a Sunset Cruise on a local boat, where we cruised the Harbour, watching the sunset and hanging out together. Wind in our hair, salt air in our lungs. It’s good to get out. (and here we are, pictured inside the dining room)

Harbour Cruise

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Some of the many boats as we were leaving the Fishermans Wharf tonight on our Sunset Cruise.

The meal was lovely, but it was a shame that one of us couldn’t eat as they weren’t prepared to cook the steak (for non seafood eaters) until 20 minutes before we arrived in dock, as a take-away. Shame they were too busy to cater for one of our men who went without a meal. So much for “family dinner’. The rest of us had fish and chips, yum!

My kids behaviour was exemplary, proving to the owner of the boat that not all children are badly behaved in pulic and can indeed go out with their families. I was most upset when it was suggested that I do not bring my children. We took photographs and sat outside chatting and seeing the sights. It’s amazing how different your city looks from the ocean. It is beautiful.

Our weather was perfect, and the night was still, which meant the ocean was calm (that always helps as we have a couple who get seasick). The boat was beautiful and we all enjoyed the city lights.

Something different – they say change is as good as a holiday.

Like a Moth to the Flame

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I am drawn back to the 365 site. I am completely addicted, I keep looking at the inspiring photos on everyones profiles.. going from one to the next to the next. So many beautiful photos. Ok everyone just stop it !
No more… no more… I need some sleep, and my children need to be fed.

 

This is true for the whole computer thing… I need to turn it off, walk away… but I can’t. I need to look at another photo, read another story, see another scrapbook idea, read another blog post, check that facebook, reply to that email, see who’s doing what, who’s saying what about who and who. It’s just never-ending.

Ok.. they say the first step to beating an addiction is acknowledging your problem… and I acknowledge this… there is too much good stuff on the internet… so everyone had better stop! Haha. See it’s not really my problem is it? It’s everyone else around me!

At least blogging is easier with the 365 project and I don’t spend hours deliberating over what to write, who is going to read it and what they will think about it. I have spent way too much energy worrying over ‘other’ people.  Just do it.

 

Today is a double-post, because I didn’t make it back here last night after work.

 

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No fair!

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My family was all in a fluster this morning, everyone seemed angry at everyone. I hate it when it when we have moments like that. Not fair!
This “50 cent swing” is another big “not fair” as it was bolted down. The iconic 50 cent swing made famous in local Author Randolf Stow’s book, The Merry Go Round in the Sea, an autobiographical book telling of life in Geraldton during the 1940s. You might think it’s named that because it costs 50 cents to ride, but no, it’s due to it’s unique shape. Built over 100 years ago the swing has been a focal point of the Geraldton foreshore for several generations. It spins on a central axis rocking from side to side while patrons sit on the timber planks attached. Sadly future generations wont get to enjoy the swing the local council saw fit to bolt the swing in a stationary position all in the name of public safety. No fair!
The 50 cent “bench” is not quite the same.

 

Framed

Glimpse through the rocks

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The rocks are piled high but the glimpse of the foreshore dare you to climb higher for the reward of the view, and just over these rocks you can see the whole shoreline, right up to the Port.

 

On my photographic walk this morning I saw this and thought of this weeks challenge “to take a photo FRAMED by something other than the edges of the lens, manmade or natural. My walk was beautiful, the weather is perfect now and I got some great shots of the boats on the Marina. I think I might save a couple for later in the month.

For now, here’s one of the boardwalk. It was interesting and I overheard a couple of old blokes talking behind me. I didn’t dare to snap their picture but I wish I had the guts to do so… they were adorable. This is how the conversation went…

1st old fella ” Ya know, I’m getting a bit deaf. I have to get myself some hearing aids”

2nd old fella ” Yeah, I’ve got hearing aids. I think I might have to start wearing them”

1st old fella ” Yeah, my teeth need replacing too”

2nd old fella ” Mm, me too. My knees are going too, and I need stronger glasses”

1st old fella ” Not good, this getting old, is it”

2nd old fella “Nup”